Combined tapestry frame and cabinet



W n, 194% E. F. VANCE COMBINED TAPESTRY FRAME AND CABINET Filed June l2, 1939 WXL 1N VENTOR, f Va/766,

fafa BY /J ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINED TAPESTRY FRAME AND CABINET 8 Claims.

This invention relates to a combined tapestry frame and cabinet, and particularly to a device of this character wherein the tapestry normally serves as a cover member for the cabinet.

'Ihe principal object of this invention is the provision of a combined tapestry' frame and cabinet wherein the tapestry is normally maintained to cover a plurality of cabinet compartments and is adjustable to and from the closing position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the characted described wherein means is provided for normally maintaining a flexible cover member in a taut planar position.

A further object is the provision of means operable to cause a flexible cover member to fold along predetermined lines.

Other objects are simplicity and economy of construction, ease of operation, and adaptability to present various artistic and pleasing structures Without varying the general construction.

With these as well as other objects which will appear during the course of the specification in view, reference will now be had to the drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a combined tapestry frame and cabinet, partly broken away and embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is an edge elevation of the device with the cover member partially moved to the open position.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional View taken on line III-III of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed view of the cover operating parts.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line V-V of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section taken on line VI-VI of Fig. 4; and,

Fig. 'l is a fragmentary plan View of the cover member and certain associated parts.

Throughout the several views like reference characters designate similar parts and the numeral I0 represents a frame or body member of relatively thin rectangular form, in which is formed shallow pockets i2, having openings I4.

The body member as shown, is made up of a back plate I6, on the front face of which is mounted channel members I8 to form a continuous frame around the edge portion of back plate l5. Transverse channel members 20 located to form suitable pockets, are positioned Within the confines of the outer channel members with their outer edges in a plane common to all the channels.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the device shown is a double unit, with a similar independently operable unit at each side of the Vertical center line. This is intended to facilitate the supporting of the standard rectangular tapestry, so that it can be moved inwardly from either 5 and when opening the pockets.

The pockets are formed by placing a sheet material 22 across a portion of the recesses formed by the channels. Sheets of a transparent material, such as Celluloid has been found to be very 10 convenient to facilitate seeing what is in the pocket.

The cover member 24 preferably consists of an ornamental tapestry which is to be displayed when the device is positioned on the wall of a 15 home or office. This tapestry is flexible to permit folding as it is moved to and from the closed position.

The top and bottom edges are provided with metal slide members 26, which are joined to the 20 tapestry and extend into a slotted, tubular member 28, secured, respectively, to the top and bottom edges of the base member. These members 26 will slide in the tubular members to maintain the cover member in proper vertical position as it is 25 being moved to or from the extended position. The central member 21 is secured to the cover member and is also secured in the tubular member 28, by rivet 30 to prevent its longitudinal movement in the tube. It is very apparent that 30 the cover member may be secured at its one end and be moved to the open position by moving the other end toward the secured end, without securing its middle portion against movement, as shown in the drawing.

The end portions of the cover member 24 are provided with vertically disposed bars 32 secured thereto by fasteners 34. These bars serve to hold the end portions of the cover member in a stretched-out position and also serve as an an- 40 chorage for operating cables 36 and 38 which extend inwardly and are trained over sheave wheels 40 and 42 respectively. Sheave Wheels 40 and 42 are so related and positioned on the frame I0 that cables 36 and 38 may be trained down- 45 wardly through a common opening 44 formed in member 21. 'I'he cables are secured together by a hand grip pull member 46 so that when this pull member is moved downwardly both ends of bar 32 will be moved inwardly at a uniform rate of speed. 50

A rod 48 mounted for rotation in frame I0 `carries two spools 50 and 52 on which is wound cables 54, the free end of which is secured at 56 to bar 32. Intermediate spools 50 and 52 on rod 48, is a helical spring 58 anchored at its one end 55 B to frame Ill, and at its other end 62, to rod 48. Spools 50 and 52 are secured to rod 48 so that as bar 32 and associated parts are moved inwardly, as described above, the rod will be rotated to wind the spring tighter so that it will be suiiciently energized to move the cover member to the closed position and also to maintain a suicient tension thereon to maintain it in a planar position.

It is desirable to have the cover member fold uniformly, outwardly, during the opening operation and this is accomplished by toggle joints 64 which are pivoted to the slide members 2G as shown. Bars 66 and G8 of each joint are held off center by means of lugs 1l), integral with bar 66, engaging finger 'l2 extending outwardly from bar 68. It will be noted that the inner bar S6 is secured to the stationary member, thereby insuring proper movement of the toggle joints to cause the cover member to fold along a predetermined line as the cover member is being moved to the open position.

Many structural changes might be made in this device without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is our desire to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the character described, comprising a relatively thin frame having pockets opening into one side thereof; a pliable cover member secured along one edge thereof to said frame and extended over said pockets; a spring member engaging the opposite edge of said cover j member to normally urge said cover to the extended position to cover said pockets; and means operable to urge one edge of said cover toward its opposite edge to uncover said pockets.

2. A device of the character described comprising a relatively thin planar frame having pockets opening into one side thereof; a pliable cover member carried by said frame and extending over one side of said frame and adapted to cover said pockets; means at opposite edges of said cover member to yieldably secure it in a stretched-out position; and means operable selectively to urge the opposite edges of said cover member inwardly to uncover certain of said pockets.

3. A device 0f the character described comprising a relatively thin body member having pockets formed therein opening at one side thereof; a flexible cover member carried by said body member and adapted to normally cover said pocket openings; spring means adapted to exert a tension on said cover member to urge it to position to cover said pockets; and manually operable means whereby said cover member may be moved to the opened position against said spring means.

e. A device of the character described comprising a relatively thin planar body member having pockets formed therein, opening into one side thereof, a pliable cover member, adjustably carried by said body member, adapted to cover said pocket openings; spring means adapted to exert a force to normally urge said cover member to a taut position over said pocket openings; manually operable means operable to move one edge of said cover member inwardly against said spring means whereby said pocket openings are uncovered; and guide members at opposite edges of said cover member adapted to maintain said opposite edges in substantially parallel relation as the cover member is being moved to cover or uncover the pocket openings.

5. A device of the character described comprising a relatively thin body member having pockets formed therein opening at one side thereof; a pliable cover member carried by said body member `and adapted to cover said pocket openings; spring means adapted to exert a tension on said cover member at one edge thereof to hold it in position to cover said pockets; means operable to move said one edge of said cover member parallel with said body member whereby said pocket openings are uncovered; and members operable as said cover member is being moved to engage the opposite edges of said cover member and cause it to fold along predetermined lines.

6. A device of the character described comprising a relatively thin planar body member having pockets opening into one side thereof; a flexible, rectangular cover member carried by said body member and adapted to normally cover said pocket openings with each edge thereof normally secured in the closed position to said body member; and means operable to urge one edge of said cover member inwardly to uncover certain of said pocket openings.

'7. A device of the character described comprising a relatively thin planar body member having pockets opening into one side thereof; a pliable, rectangular cover member adapted to normally cover said pocket openings with each edge thereof adjustably secured in the closed position to said body member; means operable to urge one edge of said cover member inwardly to uncover certain of said pocket openings; and resilient means adapted to be energized as said cover' edge is being moved inwardly to return said cover member to the normal closed position.

8. A device of the character described comprising a relatively thin planar body member having pockets opening into one side thereof; a pliable rectangular cover member adapted to normally cover said pocket openings, means securing each edge thereof in the closed position, to said body member; means operable to urge one edge of said cover member inwardly to uncover certain of said pocket openings; and toggle members carried by said body member at its opposite edges and operable as said cover edge is moved inwardly to cause said pliable cover member to fold along predetermined lines.

EDD F. VANCE. 

